Media

Commission Redraws the Federal Electoral Map
of Manitoba

WINNIPEG, Thursday, August 9, 2012 — The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Manitoba has proposed a new electoral map for consideration at public hearings this fall.

The commission has aimed to keep electoral district populations close to the provincial average for the next ten years. Given some shift from rural to urban areas and projections of continued growth in Winnipeg, 12 of Manitoba's 14 electoral districts are set to change.

"Population equality was a big factor for the Commission. But in redrawing boundaries, we strove to keep communities together and did our utmost to avoid splitting municipalities, Aboriginal communities and designated bilingual areas," said the Honourable Richard Chartier, chair of the three-member commission. Dr. Kelly Saunders and Dr. Paul Thomas are the other members of the commission responsible for readjusting the province's federal electoral boundaries.

The proposal reflects Manitoba's increase in population from 1,119,583 in 2001 to 1,208,268, as captured in the 2011 census.

Under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the commission's main aim in redrawing boundaries is to divide the province into electoral districts as close to the average population as reasonably possible. The commission may depart from this goal in any case where it considers it necessary or desirable in order to address communities of interest or identity concerns and historical and geographic factors.

The commission's role is to readjust the boundaries of federal electoral districts. It makes final decisions about where the new electoral boundaries will be located after consultation, giving the public and members of Parliament an opportunity to express their views and participate in the process.

To consult the proposal online, visitwww.federal-redistribution.ca; to obtain a copy, contact the commission (see coordinates below).

Public hearings

Residents of Manitoba are invited to share their views on the proposed federal electoral map at public hearings:

Everyone is invited to attend. For complete address information for public hearings, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca under Manitoba > Public Hearings. Those wishing to make a presentation at a hearing are requested to send the commission notice no later than Monday, October 1, 2012

Notices of presentation should include:

the person's name, address and contact information

the organization he/she represents (if any)

the date of the public hearing he/she wishes to attend

a short overview of the issue(s) he/she intends to address

the official language of preference

any accommodation needs the person may have

Written notice can be sent by e-mail to manitoba@rfed-rcf.ca or by mail to the address below. Alternatively, the Public Hearings Notice Form can be filled out online at www.federal-redistribution.ca under Manitoba > Public Hearings.

Learn more about the redistribution of federal electoral districts at www.federal-redistribution.ca.